City takes steps to improve efficiency

LAGUNA WOODS – Contractors dealing with the city may soon be able to pay by credit card and enjoy streamlined service at the counter.

A plan to make the city more business-friendly began to bear fruit last week when the City Council directed staffers to pursue expanded payment options and identify ways to process permits faster.

The actions came out of an Oct. 30 public roundtable meeting with contractors. A second roundtable held Nov. 19 was aimed at local businesses.

Mayor Bob Ring said both meetings were well attended. “The attendees were very open and complimentary on what the city does well and where we can improve.”

Ring and Councilwoman Cynthia Conners sit on an ad hoc economic/community development committee, formed in September. The committee was tasked with improving the business climate in the city.

At the Oct. 30 roundtable, contractors made more than two-dozen suggestions to make their jobs easier, Conners said. They included faster permit turnaround; online access to apply for permits and schedule inspections; and the ability to pay by credit or debit card.

To accept credit and debit cards at the counter, the city must modify its accounting system and solicit merchants to process payments. City Hall now accepts payments by cash, check and money order only.

Plans to integrate the city’s computer system to make permit forms available online are also in the works, but officials say that will take more time.

“Instant miracles only happen on TV,“ Ring quipped.

Business owners attending the Nov. 19 roundtable had questions about signage and banner regulations, Conners said. Recommendations resulting from that meeting will be presented at an upcoming council meeting.

The changes are the beginning of a modernization program that aims to make dealing with the city easier and more efficient, Ring said.

Ring noted for a small city, Laguna Woods does a proportionately larger number of permits than surrounding cities. “It never stops, good times or bad.”